The CBR300R is Honda's new small-displacement weapon

Small bike, big fun

In much the same way that you don't need to drive a Lamborghini Aventador to have fun behind the wheel, you don't need superbike speed to have superbike amounts of fun. The small-displacement sport bike has become less of a back-burner idea in recent years, and the newest entrant into the fray in Honda's 2014 CBR300R. Sharing some of its looks with the CBR500R, the 300R is likely meant to be a direct challenger for Kawasaki's Ninja 300, which debuted last year.

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The CBR300R is powered by a 286 cc single-cylinder engine, making just 30 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers may not seem very impressive, but on a bike this small, that sort of power is more than adequate. The engine is a stroked-out version of the mill found in the CBR250R, and has a stronger balancing shaft, as well as stiffer engine mounts. The 300R comes with ABS as standard, and its six-speed 'box has been designed for more efficient highway cruising. This all adds up to what should be a smooth and comfortable mid to long-distance traveler.

There's a good chance that the CBR300R will replace the CBR250R altogether, which means that we'd most likely get it here in the 'States. The dollars and cents haven't been revealed yet, but I'd guess that the price tag will be something comparable to the Ninja 300, which starts at $4,799.

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